Newtown boys keep momentum

Published 8:00 pm, Monday, October 22, 2007

Instead, it may be remembered for a Brookfield High's own goal that might cost the Bobcats a home playoff game in the South-West Conference boys soccer playoffs.

Newtown, however, was able to build more momentum heading into the tournament with a 2-0 victory.

"It was our last home game and we wanted to play well," said Newtown coach Brian Neumeyer. "As far as seeding, we are not looking at that. We have only lost to two teams and we will be OK going into the tournament."

"It was a blow (the own goal) that we had trouble recovering from," said Brookfield coach Jared Sheikh. "With that said, for much of the game we looked to be the better side."

I don't think it will cost us (a home game), but it may very well and if does that is OK," he added. "We are planning on being in the final two."

The play that cost Brookfield came in the ninth minute on a ball played deep into the Bobcat box. As the Nighthawks forwards ascended toward the box in anticipation of a rebound the ball took an awkward carom off the head of Bobcat captain Michael Huttemann. The deflection went off the ground, bounced over the head of Brookfield goalie Matt Bonn and into the net for a 1-0 Newtown lead.

"Ultimately, without that goal we are looking at a 0-0 game," said Sheikh. "Down that one goal we threw men forward."

While Brookfield challenged and out shot Newtown for the remainder of the half, scoring chances were a premium for both teams.

Brookfield let its best chance of the game fade in the 32nd minute as Jeff Garafalo received a pass from Steve Rountos. Instead of taking a quick shot with hit left foot from 15 yards out, the senior forward settled the ball while Newtown goalie Daniel Smith moved into position. The result was a shot into the arms of the waiting Smith.

Just before the half the Bobcats had another chance to tie the score. In the 35th minute AJ Stueck let fly a bending shot that came out of the shadows and crossed in front of the goal. Smith came threw the crowd of players and punched the ball out of danger.

"I did not have to come up with too many big saves," said Smith. "We kept it clean in the back and the defense stayed focused."

Early in the second half, Smith was tested once again on two Bobcat scoring opportunities.